International Master of Science in Agro- and Environmental Nematology
Nematodes or roundworms are everywhere. They are among the most harmful organisms of crops, especially in the tropics, but on the other hand they are very promising as natural antagonists that can be used in bio-control programmes against pest insects. The programme is unique in the world. It deals with fundamental as well as applied aspects of Nematology.
What
Nematodes or roundworms are everywhere. They are among the most harmful organisms of crops, especially in the tropics, but on the other hand some species are natural antagonists that can be used in bio-control programmes against pest insects. Because of their ubiquitous presence, overwhelming densities and diversity (sometimes compared to insects) the free-living nematodes are an ideal tool for biodiversity studies. They are used as bio-indicators of pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. The programme of the International Master of Science in Agro- and Environmental Nematology is unique and attracts students from all over the world. It deals with fundamental as well as applied aspects of nematology and concerns all groups of nematodes in all possible environments: natural soils, agricultural soils, aquatic sediments of freshwater, brackish or marine habitats. It fulfills the international need for training highly qualified nematologists with a multidisciplinary knowledge in the diverse fields of nematology and related sciences. This international multicultural English course programme is multidisciplinary in its approach both within the field of biology and agro-engineering.
For whom
The admission requirements depend on previous degrees (type of degree, country of issue etc ...) or additonal experience.
Structure
The programme consists of compulsory courses focused on nematology for 60 credits during the first master year. In the second master (third semester) year students can broaden their field with many elective courses offered by Ghent University and foreign (partner) universities.
Students choose between three tracks (30 credits):
- UGent track
- Kenya track - International Capacity Building & Sustainability. The programme at IITA-ICIPE Nairobi (Kenya) includes a Basic Nematology Crash Course (BNCC) for local students and a mobility track for the MSc Nematology students. As part of their curriculum, the latter will be able to undertake professional internships in Kenya and the wider region, follow a course focused on specific developmental needs and will be involved in the training of local students during the BNCC.
- International Mobility track, keeping open the option for Erasmus+ application .
In the fourth semester students will perform the master’s dissertation for 30 credits.
Labour Market
The International Master of Science in Agro- and Environmental Nematology prepares students for a career in very diverse fields and environments. Their work can vary between teaching, research in universities and laboratories in governmental institutions and industry and providing advice services to the general public, farmers or governmental policies. The multidisciplinary approach allows nematologists to be active both in the field of biology and agro-engineering and medicine, work in sophisticated laboratories (advanced molecular and genetic research) as well as in suboptimal conditions where there is hardly any basic equipment as in some developing countries.
Main trumps are: in-depth and broad scientific knowledge, capacity to analyse and solve problems, write research proposals, good communication skills and contacts with national and international nematologists and centres of nematological research and applications or related fields.
Quality Assurance
At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.
More information:
www.ugent.be/nl/univgent/waarvoor-staat-ugent/onderwijsbeleid
www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/principles/educational-strategy/qualityassurance.htm
Unique Selling Points
- To academically train future nematologists, providing them with all necessary basic and advanced skills and knowledge in fundamental and applied aspects of Nematology. As such the programme fulfills the international need for highly qualified nematologists with a strong multidisciplinary knowledge in the diverse fields of Nematology.
- To be a fully international programme with a strong inter-university accent, focusing on knowledge transfer and capacity building in broad areas of Nematology and related scientific disciplines. The development of technical skills and creative problem-solving strategies, critical analysis of problems, and -in particular- addressing problems and needs in developing countries.
- To be a center of excellence in Nematology training, recognized internationally as the best place to get master level education in Nematology. The Nematology coordination office functions as the center to bring students, alumni and the broader Nematology network together.
- To provide a stimulating environment in which international students together with Belgian students can function freely regardless of their ideological, political, cultural or social background. These differences are treasured by the master programme, as it gives the opportunity to explore different points of view (cf. Multiperspectivism). The coordination office strives to be a “home and family” for its students and to provide additional social services on educational, administrative and personal matters and to organize several extra-curricular activities.
Strengths
- The master programme in Nematology is unique in the world and is highly recognized internationally for being the main center for education in Nematology. In every aspect and since its start the programme has a strong and integrated international component.
- The teaching staff is strengthened by international guest lecturers. Each lecturer is an expert in his/her field and as such it is ensured that the course is carried by researchers who do cutting edge research in Nematology. As such this master programme is a research-based educational programme, embedded in an international network.
- Because of the master’s direct connection with and focus on developing countries, the programme is characterized by the integration of a South Component in the curriculum (Kenya track), but also additionally offers satellite training programmes in Ethiopia and Kenya.
Weaknesses
1. Select the best candidates for the available grants and prepare the incoming students
Action plan:
- Improve the communication to future students, for example the communication between candidate students and alumni, so that they even know better what is expected from them.
- The selection of new candidates for the available grants should not only be based on paper but also on (skype/phone) interviews.
- Continue to improve and fine-tune the BePrep Summer Course (organized by the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering).
2. To get better acquainted with the “real-world” problems in the south
Action plan (in 2018-19):
- Organize the course Tropical Crop Pests and Diseases and Extension Service Practice.
- Appoint a guest lecturer from the south with ample field experience, thus a specialist regarding Nematology in developing countries.
3. Improve the financial sustainability of the master programme. The overall coordination of the programme at Ghent University is done by the administrative coordinator and this function depends on external funding.
Action plan:
- Apply, next to VLIR-UOS funding, for additional grants such as the Erasmus+ grant ‘Capacity Building in the field of Higher Education’.
4. Improve the outreach of our alumni, thus support our alumni to build on Nematology education and research in their home country.
Action plan:
- Upload, in cooperation with our partners, web lectures, exercises, virtual microscopy clips, links to further information, demonstrations and informative videos on the Nematology Digital Learning Platform (NDLP). This is a tool on Zephyr and available outside the UGent environment.
- Organize the course Nematology Didactics and Capacity Building.
- Support alumni financially to be present at international Nematology symposia.